We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
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3rd Payment
Transfer Amount
50000 KES ($497 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Before the project, I had no stable source of income and only depended domestic casual jobs that were mostly unavailable. I mostly depended on my husband for financial support because whatever little I earned was barely enough to take care of my needs as a woman. Through the transfer I received, I have managed to set up a business with the help of three of my friends who agreed to join hands with me to raise enough money for the business I had in mind. I am now making more money than I ever imagined making in a day and very pleased about having a regular source of income. I am now hopeful and ambitious with great plans for my future which I all awe to Give Directly.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
Since we came together as a group of four friends and raised enough money to purchase a stone crushing machine which we are now using at a mining site, we have been making a decent amount each day. This has enabled us to increase our savings with the aim of expanding the business by purchasing a tricycle that we will then be using to ferry stones and soil to the site where the machine is stationed for those who are unable to walk the long distance. This will be an extra source of income for us because we will be earning money through the transportation charges to the site as well as an increased number of customers for the machine.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Three of my friends and I came together to raise money to purchase a stone crusher used in mining sites that we would then use for business. To achieve this, I had to save part of my first transfer and both the second and third transfers which I combined to my friends' savings and purchased the crusher. We are currently using the machine for business in one of the mining sites found in Siaya county where the four of us relocated to.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
37152 KES ($359 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Currently, my life is different from how it was in that, I have been able to save a larger amount of money for the future project which we want to start as a group. Saving had been a challenge. I thank GiveDirectly for the financial support because we are almost getting into our ultimate goal which will support us for a very long time.
Do you have any new or additional goals for your life?
My new goal is to focus on saving for the business that we are hoping to start as a group. We want to buy a grinding machine that will help us make ballast for sale. This machine is very expensive but the end product will support us to take care of our daily bills.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I sent my mother part of my transfer which she needed to offset her hospital bills. I am glad that she is doing well. I also used some to purchase a tent that I will use on my business premises hopefully. Apart from that, I decided to save a large portion of my transfer hoping to combine efforts with some of my friends and start grinding stones to make ballast. From our research, this is a profitable business and we hope to make money out of it.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($194 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Do you have any new goals that you didn't have before receiving the transfer?
My new goal is to start selling kerosene. People buy kerosene in a far place and normally, I pitty the little kids who are mostly sent to get this kerosene. They have to cross a busy road and risk getting knocked down by fast racing cars in the name of purchasing kerosene. I want to bridge this gap and sell them kerosene at least close to their homes so that families do not risk losing their lives when crossing the roads to purchase kerosene. My income will also increase because I will be getting profits from both businesses.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am now stress-free. I do not worry about where to get the next casual job which is normally strenuous but instead focus on the business that I recently stared with the transfer. I have also learned how to manage a business which I did not know before.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent a large portion of my transfer to start a business. I sell french fries. The money helped me to stock everything that was needed for my business to operate. Running my own business has made me realize the value of self-employment and dependancy. Previously, I could do laundry work for people in the neighborhood but it had various challenges. I could overwork myself in order to get enough money for my daily use and the most challenging part was going without being paid after spending almost the whole day offering the service. I have never regretted operating my business and I am even thinking of combining it with another one so as to get more income.
Describe the moment when you started receiving transfers. How did you feel?
The moment I received the transfer I felt very happy because I had never received such a lumpsum amount of money before. I was overjoyed to the extent that I did not go to look for the casual jobs that day. I decided to start planning on how to use the money.
Enrolled
access_time almost 5 years ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
My first priority is to use the money from Give Directly to open a business of selling kerosene. Finding second hand kerosene pumps is easier within Mathare. In my area of residence which is Mlango Kubwa, kerosene business is thriving since most households use kerosene. Having a pump will enable me sell kerosene in a larger scale and cover a larger market compared to those who don't have pumps. It is also a faster means when I compare it to using tins to weigh kerosene.
Secondly I will use the money from Give Directly to invest in my mother's health bills. She stays within Mathare and has been ailing for a while from high blood pressure. She requires money to be treated each time and paying for her medical bills will bring me joy.
Thirdly I want to gain some skills on hairdressing. I will either go to a hairdressing school or go for local classes from one of my mentors who owns a salon within Mathare and teaches people. Later on I will use my skills to create employment for myself by providing hairdressing services.
Describe your biggest worry.
My top concern is unemployment because, both I and my husband do not have technical skills, this has led to us working odd jobs in the casual sector to meet our daily needs . My husband works at a car wash in Eastleigh while I wash clothes for people. These gives us no job security and our daily income is not sustainable. I have to always worry if by the end of the evening I will be able to put food on our table and if I can meet my children's daily needs such as education, good health and clothing.
What are your greatest ambitions?
My ambition in life is to own a business, thrive in it and be able to move my family from the slums.
Savings and profit from my kerosene business will enable me to open up other business ventures such as, renting out small kiosks and selling fast food of bhajias and chips .I have always dreamt of bringing up my family in a better environment of no police violence, drugs and the life of young boys engaging in crime. I fear for my children because where I live has been in the center of various issues, especially drug abuse as well as selling of drugs, I just cannot picture my children growing in such a life or environment, that is why I would want to move out of the slums.
Describe your usual day. How do you spend your time?
On my usual day I wake early, do some house chores, but this depends on how busy my day seems. So when I have appointments I let my mother help me with house chores and hurry to work. Am a casual labourer, I wash clothes for people within Mathare and it's surroundings. Normally I get two clients a day and I work for them during mid-day and afternoon hours.I get about 400-600 shilings per day if I get called in to work. I then go back home in the evenings, socialize with my peers then cook for my family and retire to bed, ready for what the next day brings.
During my free time I normally just do thorough cleaning of my house and socialize with friends.
